Extremists in GOPDear Editor: The demographics around the country have changed, and the extremists in the Republican Party see the presidency as out of reach. In my opinion, John Boehner, the speaker of the House, ...

Show me the moneyDear Editor: Rob Astorino has to first show me the money before "We've got a governor's race here!" (Pol Position - July 31). Governor Andrew Cuomo has been running $161 million in feel-good ads pr...

Preventing the next Gaza-Israel WarDear Editor: There have now been three wars between Gaza and Israel in the past six years. If nothing is done to stop the protagonist - the Islamic resistance army more commonly known as Hamas - th...

More securityDear Editor: There is no question about it, better security is needed at the city's landmarks given the latest incident in which both American flags were removed from the towers of the Brooklyn bri...

On immigrantsDear Editor: If it weren't for humans seeking a better life and migrating to our land, the United States would not have evolved into the greatness it has, thus attracting yet others here today with...

Change practicesDear Editor: Recently, there have been numerous articles about the people who are leaving religious offerings in Jamaica Bay. These offerings are meant to represent beauty, prosperity and renewal. ...

Lay off BriarwoodDear Editor: Why do we negate the neighborhood we are living in? Sure, Briarwood has a lot of things that can create problems lately, but there are also great things. Hoover Park and Playground is ...

What's good for the goose...Dear Editor: Why not amend Councilman Daniel Garodnick's bill to compel businesses with 20 or more employees to offer Transit Check to include all 51 Council members along with several hundred City...

Give the school backDear Editor: On February 28, the Auburndale Improvement Association sent Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina a letter requesting to meet with her regarding PS 130 at 200-01 42nd Avenue in Bayside. To ...

Sincere thanksDear Editor: As president of the Friends of the Lefrak City Library and a member of the community, I want to publicly thank State Senator Jose Peralta for resolving an important community concern b...

Selective memoryDear Editor: Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood should look in the mirror before complaining about the inaction of Congress in passing legislation to fund the national Highway Trust fund. T...

Vote tells it allDear Editor: What is all this buzz about the Republican war on women? Is it just a political stunt to gain the female vote? Just recently there was the"Not My Boss' Business Act" put forth in the ...

Goodbye drivable FlushingDear Editor: There was a groundbreaking ceremony last week at the Flushing Commons site that is replacing Municipal Parking Lot Number 1. Many think this new behemoth project is good for Flushing, ...

Nothing to be proud ofDear Editor: Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito taking credit for the recent passage of a $75 billion municipal budget is nothing to be proud of. She presented the budget to her loyal flock of members j...

Not Israel's faultDear Editor: Too many who find reason to oppose Israel in its occupation and seemingly hard-headed refusal to seek a negotiated peace with the Palestinians, this current conflict was not Israel’s f...

Breaking News

US investigators launched dawn raids Tuesday on dozens of Los Angeles locations suspected of offering "maternity tourism" services for mostly Chinese mothers wanting to give birth in the United States. The raids targeted apartment complexes in the Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga, Rowland Heights and Walnut districts outside LA where the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says foreign clients are housed. "Such businesses provide travel and lodging services to pregnant foreign nationals interested in coming to the United States to give birth so their offspring will be American citizens," ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice said. According to ICE, the maternity tourism businesses cater mostly to Chinese women who pay $15,000-$50,000 for the services, which can include getting social security numbers and US passports for their offspring.

By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have made an argument that many Israelis support in warning Congress on Tuesday about a potential nuclear deal with Iran, but critics asked whether it was worth the widening rift with the White House. The address was broadcast live on Israeli television and radio, and came at a politically sensitive time -- just two weeks before a closely contested election in which Netanyahu is seeking a fourth term. Israeli political commentators called it a polished performance by the U.S.-educated politician, but agreed with President Barack Obama's assessment that Netanyahu offered nothing new in his criticism of U.S.-led talks with Iran. Netanyahu could use a boost: an opinion poll released several hours before the speech gave the center-left Zionist Union 24 seats to 21 for Likud in the 120-member parliament.